Wave data recording program Tweed Heads/Brisbane wave climate annual summary May 2012 April 2013
Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts Prepared by Coastal Impacts Unit Science Delivery Division Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts GPO Box 5078 BRISBANE QLD 4001 The State of Queensland (Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts) 2013 The Queensland Government supports and encourages the dissemination and exchange of its information. The copyright in this publication is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia (CC BY) licence Under this licence you are free, without having to seek permission from DSITIA, to use this publication in accordance with the licence terms. You must keep intact the copyright notice and attribute the State of Queensland, Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts as the source of the publication. For more information on this licence visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/deed.en Disclaimer This document has been prepared with all due diligence and care, based on the best available information at the time of publication. The department holds no responsibility for any errors or omissions within this document. Any decisions made by other parties based on this document are solely the responsibility of those parties. Information contained in this document is from a number of sources and, as such, does not necessarily represent government or departmental policy. If you need to access this document in a language other than English, please call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 and ask them to telephone Library Services on +61 7 3170 5725 Coastal data report No. 2013.2 ISSN 1449-7611 Acknowledgements DSITIA acknowledges the following team members who contributed their time and effort to the preparation of this report: Vince Cunningham; Kieran Harper; Gary Hart; John Maher; Colin Newport; Kane Nielsen; Paul Pinjuh; John Ryan; Jeff Shortell; Fred Ventura; Jim Waldron; and Mitch Whatley. Cover photo: Tweed Waverider buoy 13 May 2010. 2
Contents Contents... i 1. Introduction... 1 1.1 Recording 2 1.1.1 Brisbane 2 1.1.2 Tweed Heads 2 1.2 Laboratory calibration checks 4 1.3 Wave recording and analysis procedures 5 1.4 Data losses 6 2. Overview... 7 3. Tweed Heads... 12 4. Brisbane... 27 5. References... 38 Other published wave data reports in this series... 39 Appendix A Zero up-crossing analysis... 41 Appendix B Glossary of Terms... 42 List of Tables Table 1: Wave parameters involved in the analysis... 5 Table 2: Deployment details for the Tweed Waverider buoy... 7 Table 3: Deployment details for the Brisbane Waverider buoy... 7 Table 4: Wave recording program; percentage data capture May 2012 April 2013... 7 Table 5: Significant meteorological events May 2012 April 2013... 8 Table 6: Tweed Heads Highest waves... 13 Table 7: Wave conditions 2012-13 Tweed Heads (see also Figure 3.6)... 15 Table 8: Mean Values, Tweed Heads... 16 Table 9: Weighted Mean Values, Tweed Heads (see also Figure 3.6)... 17 Table 10: Hsig% occurrence, Tweed Heads... 18 Table 11: Brisbane Highest waves... 28 i
List of Figures Figure 1.1: Tweed regional wave recording sites Locality plan... 1 Figure 1.2: The GPS wave measurement principle (Source: Datawell)... 3 Figure 3.1: Tweed region Locality plan... 14 Figure 3.2: Tweed region Hsig% occurrence... 18 Figure 3.3: Tweed region Percentage (of time) exceedance of wave heights (Hsig) for all wave periods (Tp)... 19 Figure 3.4: Tweed region Histogram percentage (of time) occurrence of wave heights (Hsig) for all wave periods (Tp)... 20 Figure 3.5: Tweed region Histogram percentage (of time) occurrence of wave periods (Tp) for all wave heights (Hsig)... 21 Figure 3.6: Tweed region Plot of monthly averages for seasonal year and for all data, for wave heights (Hsig). The weighted mean Hs provides an indicative potential for sediment transport.... 22 Figure 3.7: Tweed region Daily wave recordings... 23 Figure 3.8: Tweed region Sea surface temperature and peak wave directions... 24 Figure 3.9: Tweed region Directional wave rose... 25 Figure 3.10: Tweed region Wave parameter relationships... 26 Figure 4.1: Brisbane region Locality plan... 29 Figure 4.2: Brisbane region Percentage (of time) exceedance of wave heights (Hsig) for all wave periods (Tp)... 30 Figure 4.3: Brisbane region Histogram percentage (of time) occurrence of wave heights (Hsig) for all wave periods (Tp)... 31 Figure 4.4: Brisbane region Histogram percentage (of time) occurrence of wave periods (Tp) for all wave heights (Hsig)... 32 Figure 4.5: Brisbane region Plot of monthly averages for seasonal year and for all data, for wave heights (Hsig). The weighted mean Hs provides an indicative potential for sediment transport.... 33 Figure 4.6: Brisbane region Daily wave recordings... 34 Figure 4.7: Brisbane region Sea surface temperature and peak wave directions... 35 Figure 4.8: Brisbane region Directional wave rose... 36 Figure 4.9: Brisbane region Wave parameter relationships... 37 ii
1. Introduction This summary of wave climate from the Tweed Heads and Brisbane wave sites is one of a series of technical wave reports prepared annually by the Coastal Impacts Unit of the Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts (DSITIA). The information presented here summarises the primary analyses of wave data recorded using Datawell directional Waverider buoys positioned off Tweed Heads and Brisbane for the period from 1 May 2012 to 30 April 2013. The data recorded covers all of the seasonal variations for one year, and includes the 2012 13 cyclone season. Data is presented in a variety of graphical and tabulated forms, exploring the relationship between the measured wave parameters that define the sea state. This report has been prepared for the Tweed River Entrance Sand Bypassing Project to summarise the primary analyses of wave data collected at the Tweed Heads and Brisbane wave sites and presents wave climate information for the reporting period from 1 May 2012 to 30 April 2013. The wave data collected for the current year of recording is statistically compared to the long-term average conditions at the sites. Brief details of the recording equipment, the methods of handling raw data and the type of analyses employed are provided within this report. Figure 1.1: Tweed regional wave recording sites Locality plan 1
1.1 Recording DSITIA s Coastal Impacts Unit wave recording program uses the Waverider system manufactured by Datawell of the Netherlands to measure sea surface fluctuations. Directional Waverider buoys were in operation at Tweed Heads and Brisbane during the period of this report. 1.1.1 Brisbane The directional Waverider buoy at the Brisbane site measured vertical accelerations by means of an accelerometer placed on a gravity-stabilised platform. This platform is formed by a disk which is suspended in fluid within a plastic sphere placed at the bottom of the buoy. Two vertical coils are wound around the plastic sphere and one small horizontal coil is placed on the platform. The pitch and roll angles are defined by the amount of magnetic coupling between the fixed coils and the coil on the platform. Measuring this coupling gives the sine of the angles between the coils (x and y axes) and the horizontal plane (= platform plane). An additional accelerometer unit measures the forces on the buoy with respect to its x and y axes. A fluxgate compass provides a global directional reference with which to orient the buoy. The acceleration values that are relative to the buoy are then transformed into values that are relative to the fixed compass. The measured acceleration values are filtered and double integrated with respect to time to establish displacement values for recording. Only waves with frequencies within the range of 0.033 0.64 Hz can be captured by the buoy, due to physical limitations of the system. Wave motion with higher frequencies can t be followed / ridden properly due to the dimensions of the buoy, while lower frequency waves apply very small acceleration forces that become undetectable (Datawell, 2010). 1.1.2 Tweed Heads The directional Waverider buoy at the Tweed Heads site used the GPS satellite system to calculate the velocity of the buoy (as it moves with the passing waves) from changes in the frequency of GPS signals according to the Doppler principle. For example, if the buoy is moving towards the satellite the frequency of the signal is increased, and viceversa. The velocities are integrated through time to determine buoy displacement. The measurement principle is illustrated in Figure 1.2, which shows a satellite directly overhead and a satellite at the horizon. In practice the GPS system uses signals from multiple satellites to determine three-dimensional buoy motion. 2
Figure 1.2: The GPS wave measurement principle (Source: Datawell) At both Tweed Heads and Brisbane, the vertical buoy displacement representing the instantaneous water level and calculated directional data are transmitted to a receiver station as a modulated high-frequency radio signal. The directional Waverider receiver stations on shore are each comprised of a desktop computer system connected to a Datawell receiver/digitiser. The water level data at each site is digitised at 0.78 seconds intervals (1.28 Hz) and stored in bursts of 2048 points (approximately 26 minutes) on the hard disk of the computer. The proprietary software running on the computer controls the timing of data recording, and processes the data in near real time to provide a set of standard sea-state parameters and spectra that may be accessed remotely via a Telstra NEXTG link. Recorded data and analysis results are downloaded every two hours to a central computer system in Brisbane for checking, further processing, and archiving. Further information on the operation of the Waverider buoy and the recording systems can be obtained from the reference sources listed in section 5 of this report. 3
1.2 Laboratory calibration checks Waverider buoys used by DSITIA are calibrated before deployment and also after recovery. Normally, a buoy is calibrated once every 12 months. Calibration of accelerometer buoys is performed at DSITIA s Deagon site using a buoy calibrator to simulate sinusoidal waves with vertical displacements of 2.7 metres. The calibrator is electrically controlled and the frequency may be adjusted from 0.016 0.25 Hz. It is usual to check three frequencies during a calibration. The following characteristics of the buoy are also checked during the calibration procedure: compass phase and amplitude response accelerometer platform stability platform tilt battery capacity power output Calibration of the GPS buoy involves placing it in a fixed location on land for a period of several days while it records data. This location should be such that there are no obstructions between the buoy and the orbiting GPS satellites. A GPS buoy in calibration should produce result showing no displacements between records any differences can be attributed to errors in the transmission signal between the GPS buoy and the orbiting satellites or to faults in the buoy. There are no adjustments to the recorded wave data, based on the laboratory calibration results. Monthly averages are calculated based on available data and no wave data records are rejected based on low capture rates. Research (Bacon & Carter, 1991 and Allan & Komar, 2001) has suggested rejecting entire records where less than a certain threshold has been recorded. All Queensland wave-recording sites generally have high-percentage capture rates for the seasonal year and thus minimal bias is introduced into calculations. 4
1.3 Wave recording and analysis procedures The computer-based, wave-recording systems at Tweed Heads and Brisbane record data at half-hourly intervals. Raw wave data transmitted from the buoys is analysed in the time domain by the zero upcrossing method (see Appendix A) and in the frequency domain by spectral analysis using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) techniques to give 128 spectral estimates in bands of 0.01 Hz. The directional information is obtained from initial processing on the buoy, where datasets are divided into data sub-sets and each sub-set is analysed using FFT techniques. The output from this processing is then transmitted to the shore station, along with the raw data, where it undergoes further analysis using FFT techniques to produce 128 spectral estimates in bands of 0.005 Hz. The zero up-crossing analysis is equivalent in both the Brisbane (accelerometer) and Tweed (GPS) systems. Wave parameters resulting from the time and frequency domain analysis included the following: Table 1: Wave parameters involved in the analysis S(f) Hsig Hmax Hrms Tsig Tz Tp Tc Direction (Dir; Dir_p) SST energy density spectrum (frequency domain) Significant wave height (time domain), the average of the highest third of the waves in the record. The highest individual wave in the record (time domain). The root mean square of the wave heights in the record (time domain). Significant wave period (time domain), the average period of the highest third of waves in the record. The average period of all zero up-crossing waves in the record (time domain). The wave period corresponding to the peak of the energy density spectrum (frequency domain). The average period of all the waves in the record based on successive crests (time domain). The direction that peak period (Tp) waves are coming (in º True North). In other words, where the waves with the most wave energy in a wave record are coming from. The sea surface temperature (in º Celsius) obtained by a sensor mounted in the bottom of the buoy. These parameters form the basis for the summary plots and tables included in this report. 5
1.4 Data losses Data losses can be divided into two categories: losses due to equipment failure; and losses during data processing due to signal corruption. Common causes of data corruption include radio interference and a spurious, low-frequency component in the water-level signal caused by a tilting platform in the accelerometer-based Waverider buoy. Obstructions in the data path between the GPS buoy and the orbiting satellites can also cause data corruption and loss of signal. Analysis of recorded data by the computer systems includes some data rejection checks which may result in a small number of spurious and rejected data points being replaced using an interpolation procedure, otherwise the entire series is rejected. As discussed above, the various sources of data losses can cause occasional gaps in the data record. Gaps may be relatively short, caused by rejection of data records or much longer if caused by malfunction of the Waverider buoy or the recording equipment. In the calculation of wave-climate statistics, each record is assigned a total duration equal to half the recording interval on either side of that record. The durations on the side of those records adjacent to gaps in the data are limited to a maximum value dependent on the nominal-recording interval of those records. With the nominal-recording interval set at thirty minutes, the maximum allowable total duration of a record is equal to ninety minutes. Any duration on either side of a record greater than 45min (half the maximum allowable total duration) is set to the maximum allowable of exactly 45min and a gap in the data is reported. 6
2. Overview No attempt has been made to interpret the recorded data for design purposes or to apply corrections for refraction, diffraction and shoaling to obtain equivalent deep-water waves. Before any use is made of this data, the exact location of the buoy, and the water depth in which the buoy was moored, should be noted (Table 2 and Table 3). Details are presented in the location history plan (Figure 3.1 and Figure 4.1). Data capture rates for each wave site over the seasonal year are presented in Table 4. Table 2: Deployment details for the Tweed Waverider buoy Latitude Longitude Depth (m) Deployed date Removal date 28 10.890'S 153 34.482'E 22 23/01/2012 08/02/2013 28 10.920'S 153 34.608'E 22 08/02/2013 current Table 3: Deployment details for the Brisbane Waverider buoy Latitude Longitude Depth (m) Deployed date Removal date 27 29.376'S 153 37.896'E 70 3/04/2012 current Table 4: Wave recording program; percentage data capture May 2012 April 2013 Station May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Average Tweed Heads 100 96.25 100 100 100 100 86.25 99.13 97.92 99.63 100 100 98.27 Brisbane 100 99.79 99.46 89.52 95.83 95.09 100 100 98.59 100 99.46 100 98.15 A summary of major meteorological events, where the recorded Hsig value reached the storm threshold wave height of two metres for Tweed Heads and four metres for Brisbane, for the period from 01 May 2012 to 30 April 2013 is shown in Table 5. Wave parameters Hsig, Hmax, Tp, and other relevant information are listed for each event. Only storm and cyclone events that contributed to the Hsig reaching the storm threshold value are listed in Table 5. 7
Notes: 1. Barometric pressure measured in hectopascals (hpa). The Hsig and Hmax values are the maximums recorded for each event and are not necessarily coincident in time. The Tp and Hsig values are coincident as a single event on the date shown. Due to possible statistical errors arising from finite length records used in calculating wave climate, the above storm peak Hsig and Hmax values are derived from the time series smoothed by a simple three hourly moving average following the recommendation of the literature (Forristall, Heideman, Leggett, Roskam, & Vanderschuren, 1996). 2. Hsig and Hmax values shown in brackets are unsmoothed values as recorded at the site. Table 5: Significant meteorological events May 2012 April 2013 Tweed Heads Storm threshold value: 2.0 metres (Hsig) Date Hsig (m) Hmax (m) Tp (s) Event 6/05/2012 19:30 2.1 (2.3) 3.5 (4.2) 11 A surface trough with an embedded low is moving further east off the Fraser and Sunshine Coasts. 1/06/2012 15:30 2.1 (2.2) 3.5 (4.4) 8 A high [1033 hpa] over the Tasman is expected to weaken as it moves eastwards during the next couple of days. 6/06/2012 17:00 2.4 (2.7) 12/06/2012 10:00 4.4 (5.2) 29/06/2012 1:30 3.8 (4.2) 11/07/2012 1:30 2.1 (2.2) 3.9 (4.5) 7.3 (9.3) 6.2 (8.1) 3.7 (4.1) 14.9 12.8 10.8 7.3 A near stationary high [1035 hpa] over the Great Australian Bight extends a ridge across inland Queensland. A deep low pressure system lies well off the northern New South Wales coast. At 4 am (AEST) 12 June 2012, a low [988 hpa] was situated over the south-west Coral Sea about 370 kilometres east of Cape Moreton. The low is expected to continue intensifying over the next 12 hours and will take on a more eastwards track across the Coral Sea. A high [1031 hpa] near Tasmania extends a ridge across the interior of Queensland. The combination of the low and the ridge has produced large waves and swells along the far southern coast of Queensland. A high [1025 hpa] over the southern Tasman Sea will continue to move slowly eastwards over the next couple of days and gradually weaken. A low [1006 hpa] on a surface trough east of Fraser Island is expected to move to the southeast away from the coast today. Large seas and swells along the coast are expected to decrease during the day. A high [1036 hpa] over the eastern Tasman Sea extended a firm ridge along the east Queensland coast. A weak trough off the tropical Queensland coast is slowly developing, strengthening the winds along the northern Queensland coast. 22/07/2012 22:30 2.3 (2.5) 3.8 (5.0) 10.9 A high [1035 hpa] over southeastern Australia will move slowly east over the next few days. The high extends a ridge along the east coast of Queensland. A complex low pressure system sits over the northeastern Tasman Sea. 8
12/08/2012 19:00 2.1 (2.3) 3.3 (3.8) 12 A large high over the Great Australian Bight will move slowly eastwards and weaken a little. A complex low occurs over the southern Tasman Sea. 24/10/2012 22:30 2.3 (2.6) 11/11/2012 9:30 2.4 (2.6) 3.9 (4.6) 4.0 (4.8) 12.9 10.1 A high over the Tasman Sea extends a firm ridge along the east Queensland coast. The ridge should gradually weaken over the next few days. A complex low over the northern Tasman Sea is expected to move eastwards. A vigorous S to SE change over Capricornia waters is expected to move northwards and reach Cardwell by this evening. A high will move into the Tasman Sea today and extend a firm ridge along the east coast south of the trough. 12/12/2012 21:30 2.0 (2.2) 3.7 (4.4) 9.3 A high pressure system [1032 hpa] is located over the southern Tasman Sea and extends a firm ridge of high pressure along the east coast of Queensland. 28/01/2013 8:30 6.3 (6.7) 3/02/2013 3:30 2.3 (2.6) 22/02/2013 4:00 3.8 (4.1) 10.0 (11.8) 3.5 (4.4) 6.1 (7.4) 11.1 12.7 11.9 At 4 am EST, Ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald was located over land about 108 nautical miles west northwest of Brisbane and was moving east southeast at 6 knots. Ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald is expected to move across the New South Wales border later today. A fresh to strong southerly wind change is moving north through far southern Queensland waters and is expected to move through Central Coast waters during Sunday morning, whilst weakening. The trough is then expected to weaken further on Sunday as a ridge builds from a high moving east over southeastern Australia. A low pressure system lies about 130 nm east of Coolangatta and is expected to continue moving to the west southwest and to cross the northern New South Wales coast today. 6/03/2013 0:00 2.2 (2.4) 15/03/2013 10:30 13/04/2013 10:30 2.3 (2.6) 2.9 (3.1) 3.8 (4.8) 4.2 (5.3) 4.5 (5.7) 8.7 12 9.8 A high [1024 hpa] over the Tasman Sea extends a firm ridge along the southern and central Queensland coasts. The monsoon trough is situated over northern Queensland and the northern Coral Sea. A low [999 hpa] is situated along the monsoon trough, approximately 245 nautical miles east northeast of Townsville, and it is expected to deepen while moving in a general eastwards direction away from the Queensland coast over the next few days. At 3:00 am EDT Tropical Cyclone Sandra, Category 1 was estimated to be 240 kilometres east of Lord Howe Island and 680 kilometres west southwest of Norfolk Island and moving south southeast at 15 kilometres per hour. TROPICAL CYCLONE SANDRA, CATEGORY 1, is situated over the northern Tasman Sea and is moving to the south. The system is expected to weaken during Friday morning as it moves away from Lord Howe Island on a south southeasterly track. A high [1028 hpa] near New Zealand extends a ridge along the southeast coast of Queensland. A trough extends from a low [1005 hpa] off the northeast tropical Queensland coast to a second low [1005 hpa] over the central Coral Sea. The trough system and embedded lows will shift southeast today, with the second low deepening further well offshore of the southern Queensland coast. The low is expected to continue moving southeast away from the Queensland coast on Sunday. 9
Brisbane Storm threshold value: 4.0 metres (Hsig) Date Hsig(m) Hmax (m) Tp (s) Event 6/06/2012 19:30 5.6 (6.3) 12/06/2012 9:30 6.1 (6.4) 29/06/2012 0:00 5.0 (5.4) 21/07/2012 3:30 5.1 (5.5) 1/08/2012 13:30 4.1 (4.6) 11/11/2012 8:00 4.2 (4.6) 28/01/2013 7:30 6.5 (7.1) 3/02/2013 5:00 4.5 (4.9) 19/02/2013 11:00 4.7 (5.5) 8.9 (11.1) 9.4 (11.0) 8.3 (9.9) 8.9 (10.4) 6.7 (8.1) 7.3 (8.0) 10.7 (12.1) 7.4 (8.7) 8.6 (10.5) 14.6 12.6 10.7 12.2 15.5 9.8 11.3 12.7 10 A near stationary high [1035 hpa] over the Great Australian Bight extends a ridge across inland Qld. A deep low pressure system lies well off the northern New South Wales coast. At 4 am (AEST) 12 June 2012, a low [988 hpa] was situated over the south-west Coral Sea about 370 kilometres east of Cape Moreton. The low is expected to continue intensifying over the next 12 hours and will take on a more eastwards track across the Coral Sea. A high [1031 hpa] near Tasmania extends a ridge across the interior of Qld. The combination of the low and the ridge has produced large waves and swells along the far southern coast of Qld. A high [1025 hpa] over the southern Tasman Sea will continue to move slowly eastwards over the next couple of days and gradually weaken. A low [1006 hpa] on a surface trough east of Fraser Island is expected to move to the southeast away from the coast today. Large seas and swells along the coast are expected to decrease during the day. A high [1036 hpa] over the eastern Tasman Sea extended a firm ridge along the east Qld coast. A weak trough off the tropical Qld coast is slowly developing, strengthening the winds along the northern Qld coast. A high [1030 hpa] over Western Australia will strengthen a ridge over Qld waters. A vigorous S to SE change over Capricornia waters is expected to move northwards and reach Cardwell by this evening. A high will move into the Tasman Sea today and extend a firm ridge along the east coast south of the trough. At 4 am (AEST) 28 January 2012, Ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald was located over land about 108 nautical miles west northwest of Brisbane and was moving east southeast at 6 knots. Ex- Tropical Cyclone Oswald is expected to move across the New South Wales border later today. A fresh to strong southerly wind change is moving north through far southern Qld waters and is expected to move through Central Coast waters during Sunday morning, whilst weakening. The trough is then expected to weaken further on Sunday as a ridge builds from a high moving east over southeastern Australia. A high [1028 hpa] near New Zealand is expected to remain slow moving. A trough lies off the east coast of Qld. A low lies on the trough off the southeast coast of Qld and is expected to move to the southeast during today. There is some uncertainty regarding the movement of the low during Wednesday but the low is expected to remain off the southeast coast. Strong to gale force winds are expected along with rough seas and swells, depending on its proximity to the coast. Denotes peak Hsig event 10
Details of the wave recorder installations for the Tweed Heads and Brisbane sites are shown on the first page of each site section, including information on buoy location, recording station location, recording intervals and data collection. The wave climate data presented in this report is based on statistical analyses of the parameters obtained from the recorded wave data. Software programs developed by DSITIA provide statistical information on percentage of time occurrence and exceedance for wave heights and periods. The results of these analyses are presented in Figure 3.3 Figure 3.5 and Figure 4.3 Figure 4.5. In each of these three figures for each site, the term All data refers to the entire available dataset collected for Tweed Heads (18.25 years) since 13 January 1995 and Brisbane (35.5 years) since 31 October 1977. In addition, similar statistical analysis provides monthly averages of wave heights for the seasonal year and all data. Daily wave recordings, average water temperature and peak direction (Dir_p) recordings are shown for the period from 01 May 2012 to 30 April 2013. Directional wave roses for the same period are also presented. These wave roses summarise wave occurrence at Tweed Heads and Brisbane by indicating their height, direction and frequency. Each branch of a wave rose represents waves coming from that direction with branches divided into Hsig segments of varying range. The length of each branch represents the total percentage of waves from that direction with the length of each segment within a branch representing the percentage of waves, in that size range, arriving from that direction for all wave periods. Note that the wave rose is only intended as a visual guide to the wave climate at the site. This report covers the period from 01 May 2012 to 30 April 2013 to align with the Tweed River Entrance Sand Bypassing Project environmental monitoring periods. For the purposes of analysis, summer has been taken as the period from 01 November to 30 April of the following year and winter covers the period 01 May to 31 October in any one year. 11
3. Tweed Heads 12
Table 6: Tweed Heads Highest waves Rank Date (Hsig) Hsig(m) Date (Hmax) Hmax (m) 1 3/05/1996 1:00 7.5 2/05/1996 14:30 13.1 2 28/01/2013 8:30 6.7 28/01/2013 9:00 11.8 3 6/03/2004 1:00 6.1 5/03/2004 23:30 11.1 4 21/05/2009 19:30 5.6 30/06/2005 6:30 9.9 5 24/05/1999 5:00 5.2 22/05/2009 7:00 9.7 6 4/03/2006 20:30 5.2 4/03/2006 12:00 9.6 7 12/06/2012 10:00 5.2 25/03/1998 22:30 9.5 8 15/02/1995 11:30 5.2 15/02/1995 15:30 9.3 9 30/06/2005 9:00 4.9 12/06/2012 11:30 9.3 10 24/03/2004 6:00 4.8 2/02/2001 2:00 9.1 13
Latitude Longitude Depth (m) Deployed date Removal date 28 10.890'S 153 34.482'E 22 23/01/2012 08/02/2013 28 10.920'S 153 34.608'E 22 08/02/2013 current Figure 3.1: Tweed region Locality plan 14
Table 7: Wave conditions 2012-13 Tweed Heads (see also Figure 3.6) Month Average Hsig (m) Min Hsig (m) Max Hsig (m) Average of Peak Period (Tp) Directions (Ø TRUE) 90% of waves within the range of (m) No. of Days When Hsig> = 2m No. of Days When Hsig< = 0.75m Events where Hsig> 3m and date of storm May-12 1.13 0.36 2.33 94 0.6-1.9 5 13 Jun-12 1.70 0.49 5.20 92 0.7-3.8 14 10 11-15th, 28-29th Jul-12 1.31 0.54 2.53 99 0.7-2.1 7 7 Aug-12 0.86 0.3 2.30 93 0.4-1.7 3 22 Sep-12 0.92 0.42 1.61 92 0.6-1.3 0 16 Oct-12 1.12 0.32 2.58 92 0.7-2.0 3 11 Nov-12 1.01 0.52 2.56 90 0.6-1.4 2 14 Dec-12 1.13 0.46 2.19 87 0.7-1.9 3 13 Jan-13 1.46 0.62 6.71 83 0.7-3.1 7 9 27-29th Feb-13 1.81 1.02 4.13 94 1.2-3.3 12 0 19-22nd Mar-13 1.53 0.73 2.64 89 0.9-2.2 11 1 Apr-13 1.21 0.53 3.10 98 0.6-2.3 5 11 13th May to April 1.26 0.30 6.71 92 0.6-2.3 72 127 15 days 15
Table 8: Mean Values, Tweed Heads Month May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Apr Mean Hsig(m) 2012 13 Mean Hsig(m) Average from 1995 2013 Average of Peak Period (Tp) Directions (Ø TRUE) 1.13 1.70 1.31 0.86 0.92 1.12 1.01 1.13 1.46 1.81 1.53 1.21 1.26 1.37 1.22 1.20 1.11 1.10 1.14 1.16 1.16 1.34 1.48 1.47 1.38 1.26 94 92 99 93 92 92 90 87 83 94 89 98 92 2012 13 Average Peak Period (Tp) Directions 99 100 103 100 93 92 93 93 91 96 94 97 96 (Ø TRUE) 1995 2013 Mean Hsig= Hsig/ N Average of Peak Period (Tp) Directions = D / N Where: Hsig= Significant wave height D = Direction at Peak Period (Tp) N = number of records 16
Table 9: Weighted Mean Values, Tweed Heads (see also Figure 3.6) Month May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May - Apr Weighted Mean Hsig(m) 2012 13 Weighted Mean Hsig (m) 1995 2013 Weighted Mean of Peak Period (Tp) Directions (Ø TRUE) 1.25 2.10 1.41 0.98 0.96 1.23 1.09 1.22 1.92 1.98 1.62 1.37 1.43 1.68 1.41 1.33 1.28 1.20 1.25 1.26 1.28 1.50 1.64 1.64 1.52 1.42 90 85 96 93 86 96 87 86 74 91 85 93 89 2012 13 Weighted Mean of Peak Period (Tp) Directions (Ø TRUE) 87 96 100 94 93 91 95 90 89 94 88 94 93 1995 2013 Weighted mean Hsig= ( Hsig2.5 / N) 0.4 Weighted Mean Direction = (Hsig2.5*D) / Hsig2.5 Where: Hsig= Significant wave height D = Direction at Peak Period (Tp) N = number of records 17
Table 10: Hsig% occurrence, Tweed Heads Hsig(m) 0-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2 2-2.5 2.5-3 3-3.5 3.5-4 4-4.5 4.5-5 5-5.5 5.5-6 6-6.5 6.5-7 May 95 Apr 13 May 12 Apr 13 1.06 33.76 40.82 16.00 5.53 1.67 0.65 0.26 0.13 0.06 0.03 0.01 0.01 0.00 1.47 38.57 34.86 14.37 6.80 1.67 1.01 0.65 0.25 0.15 0.09 0.06 0.04 0.02 Figure 3.2: Tweed region Hsig% occurrence 18
Figure 3.3: Tweed region Percentage (of time) exceedance of wave heights (Hsig) for all wave periods (Tp) 19
Figure 3.4: Tweed region Histogram percentage (of time) occurrence of wave heights (Hsig) for all wave periods (Tp) 20
Figure 3.5: Tweed region Histogram percentage (of time) occurrence of wave periods (Tp) for all wave heights (Hsig) 21
Weighted Mean Hs = ( (Hs 2.5 )/ N) 0.4 Where: Hs = Significant wave height N = number of records Figure 3.6: Tweed region Plot of monthly averages for seasonal year and for all data, for wave heights (Hsig). The weighted mean Hs provides an indicative potential for sediment transport. 22
Figure 3.7: Tweed region Daily wave recordings 23
Temperature sensor failed erroneous data Figure 3.8: Tweed region Sea surface temperature and peak wave directions 24
Figure 3.9: Tweed region Directional wave rose 25
Figure 3.10: Tweed region Wave parameter relationships 26
4. Brisbane 27
Table 11: Brisbane Highest waves Rank Date (Hsig) Hsig(m) Date (Hmax) Hmax (m) 1 17/03/1993 10:30 7.4 4/03/2006 21:00 16.8 2 4/03/2006 9:00 7.2 5/03/2004 17:30 14.3 3 28/01/2013 7:30 7.1 17/03/1993 3:30 13.1 4 5/03/2004 17:30 7 2/05/1996 14:00 12.8 5 2/05/1996 20:30 6.9 15/02/1995 6:30 12.2 6 15/02/1995 6:00 6.4 28/01/2013 7:30 12.1 7 23/08/2008 23:00 6.4 15/02/1996 19:00 12.1 8 12/06/2012 9:30 6.4 24/08/2008 2:00 11.5 9 6/06/2012 19:30 6.3 26/03/1998 7:00 11.5 10 31/12/2007 3:00 6.3 6/06/2012 19:30 11.1 28
Latitude Longitude Depth (m) Deployed date Removal date 27 29.376'S 153 37.896'E 70 3/04/2012 current Figure 4.1: Brisbane region Locality plan 29
Figure 4.2: Brisbane region Percentage (of time) exceedance of wave heights (Hsig) for all wave periods (Tp) 30
Figure 4.3: Brisbane region Histogram percentage (of time) occurrence of wave heights (Hsig) for all wave periods (Tp) 31
Figure 4.4: Brisbane region Histogram percentage (of time) occurrence of wave periods (Tp) for all wave heights (Hsig) 32
Weighted Mean Hs = ( (Hs 2.5 )/ N) 0.4 Where: Hs = Significant wave height N = number of records Figure 4.5: Brisbane region Plot of monthly averages for seasonal year and for all data, for wave heights (Hsig). The weighted mean Hs provides an indicative potential for sediment transport. 33
Figure 4.6: Brisbane region Daily wave recordings 34
Figure 4.7: Brisbane region Sea surface temperature and peak wave directions 35
Figure 4.8: Brisbane region Directional wave rose 36
Figure 4.9: Brisbane region Wave parameter relationships 37
5. References Allan, J., & Komar, P. (2001). Wave climate change and coastal erosion in the US Pacific Northwest. Proceedings of the 4th Conference on Ocean Wave Measurement and Analysis (pp. 680 690). San Francisco: ASCE. Australian Hydrographic Service. (2011). Australian National Tide Tables. Bacon, S., & Carter, D. (1991). Wave climate changes in the North Atlantic. Int. J. Climatol, 545 558. Datawell. (2000). Operations and Service Manual for Directional Waverider. Haarlem, Netherlands. Datawell. (2010). Datawell Waverider Reference Manual WR-SG; DWR-MkIII, DWR-G. Haarlem, Netherlands. Forristall, G., Heideman, J., Leggett, I., Roskam, B., & Vanderschuren, L. (1996). Effect of Sampling Variability on Hindcast and Measured Wave Heights. Journal of Waterway, Port, Costal and Ocean Engineering, Vol 122, No. 5, 216 225. 38
Other published wave data reports in this series Cairns Region Report No. W01.1 2 May 1975 to 3 Sep 1978 Cairns Region Report No. W01.2 2 May 1975 to 11 Jun 1985 Cairns Region Report No. W01.3 2 May 1975 to 30 Apr 1997 Mackay Region Report No. W02.1 17 Sep 1975 to 5 Nov 1976 Mackay Region Report No. W02.2 17 Sep 1975 to 23 Aug 1985 Mackay Region Report No. W02.3 17 Sept 1975 to 30 Oct 1996 Townsville Region Report No. W03.1 16 Jul 1975 to 23 Feb 1979 Townsville Region Report No. W03.2 19 Nov 1975 to 29 Dec 1987 Sunshine Coast Region Report No.W04.1 5 Apr 1974 to 5 Jul 1977 Burnett Heads Region Report No. W05.1 5 May 1976 to 5 Mar 1982 Burnett Heads Region Report No. W05.2 5 May 1976 to 13 Oct 1988 Abbot Point Region Report No. W06.1 6 May 1977 to 9 Aug 1979 Abbot Point Region Report No. W06.2 6 May 1977 to 31 Oct 1996 Weipa Region Report No. W07.1 21 Dec 1978 to 7 Apr 1983 Weipa Region Report No. W07.2 21 Dec 1978 to 30 Apr 1997 Gladstone Region Report No. W08.1 19 Dec 1979 to 16 May 1983 Brisbane Region Report No. W09.1 30 Oct 1976 to 30 Jun 1983 Brisbane Region Report No. W09.2 30 Oct 1976 to 30 Jun 1994 Brisbane Region Report No. W09.3 30 Oct 1976 to 28 Feb 1997 Bowen Region Report No. W10.1 14 Sept 1978 to 15 Nov 1984 Moreton Island Region Report No.W11.1 15 Jun 1983 to 12 Apr 1985 Bramston Beach Region Report No.W12.1 16 Dec 1981 to 28 Oct 1985 Hay Point Region Report No. W13.1 22 Mar 1977 to 25 May 1987 Hay Point Region Report No. W13.2 22 Mar 1977 to 31 Oct 1996 Gold Coast Region Report No. W14.1 20 Feb 1987 to 30 Jun 1994 Gold Coast Region Report No. W14.2 20 Feb 1987 to 28 Feb 1997 Kirra Report No. W15.1 25 Aug 1988 to 30 Jun 1994 Kirra Report No. W15.2 25 Aug 1988 to 28 Feb 1997 Repulse Bay Report No. W16.1 2 Jun 1994 to 22 Oct 1995 Hayman Island Report No. W17.1 26 Oct 1995 to 14 Oct 1996 Tweed Region Report No. W18.1 15 Jan 1995 to 28 Feb 1997 Lucinda Report No. W19.1 2 Mar 1995 to 13 May 1996 Dunk Island Report No. 2004.2 13 Jan 1995 30 May 2004 Weipa Report No. 2004.5 23 Dec 1978 31 Jan 2004 Annual summary for season 2000 01 Report No. 2004.3 1 Nov 2000 31 Oct 2001 Annual summary for season 2001 02 Report No. 2004.4 1 Nov 2001 31 Oct 2002 Annual summary for season 2002 03 Report No. 2004.1 1 Nov 2002 31 Oct 2003 Annual summary for season 2003 04 Report No. 2004.6 1 Nov 2003 31 Oct 2004 Annual summary for season 2004 05 DRAFT Report No. 2006.1 1 Nov 2004 31 Oct 2005 Annual summary for season 2005 06 DRAFT Report No. 2006.2 1 Nov 2005 31 Oct 2006 Annual summary for season 2006 07 DRAFT Report No. 2007.2 1 Nov 2006 31 Oct 2007 Annual summary for season 2007 08 DRAFT Report No. 2008.1 1 Nov 2007 31 Oct 2008 Annual summary for season 2008 09 DRAFT Report No. 2009.1 1 Nov 2008 31 Oct 2009 Annual summary for season 2009 10 DRAFT Report No. 2010.1 1 Nov 2009 31 Oct 2010 Annual summary for season 2010 11 DRAFT Report No. 2011.1 1 Nov 2010 31 Oct 2011 39
Tweed Heads Wave Climate Summary 2006-2007 Report No. 2007.1 01 May 2006 30 April 2007 Tweed Heads Wave Climate Summary 2007-2008 Report No. 2008.1 01 May 2007 30 April 2008 Tweed Heads Wave Climate Summary 2008-2009 Report No. 2009.1 01 May 2008 30 April 2009 Tweed Heads Wave Climate Summary 2009-2010 Report No. 2010.1 01 May 2009 30 April 2010 Tweed Heads Wave Climate Summary 2010-2011 Report No. 2011.1 01 May 2010 30 April 2011 40
Appendix A Zero up-crossing analysis Zero crossing analysis A direct, repeatable, and widely accepted method to extract representative statistics form wave data recorded by a wave measuring buoy. For zero up-crossing (used by DSITIA), a wave is defined as the portion of the record between two successive zero up-crossings of the mean water line. Waves are ranked (within their corresponding periods), and statistical wave parameters are computed in the time domain. An explanation of wave parameters is presented in the Glossary. 41
Parameter Hsig THsig Hrms Hmax Tc Tz H10 TH10 THmax Tzmax Description The significant wave height (in metres), defined as the average of the highest one-third of the zero up-crossing wave heights in a 26.6-minute wave record. This wave height closely approximates the value a person would observe by eye. Significant wave heights are the values reported by the Bureau of Meteorology in their forecasts. The average period of the highest one-third of zero up-crossing wave heights. Root mean square wave height from the time domain. The maximum zero up-crossing wave height (in metres) in a 26.6-minute record. The average crest period (in seconds) in a 26.6-minute record. The average of the zero up-crossing wave periods (in seconds) in a 26.6-minute record. Average of the highest 10 percent of all waves in a record. The period of the H10 waves. Period of maximum height, zero up-crossing. The maximum zero crossing in a record. Hm0 Estimate of the significant wave height from frequency domain 4 m 0. T02 Average period from spectral moments zero and two, defined by m m 0 2. Tp Direction (Dir; Dir_p) HAT Wave period at the peak spectral energy (in seconds). This is an indication of the wave period of those waves that are producing the most energy in a wave record. Depending on the value of Tp, waves could either be caused by local wind fields (sea) or have come from distant storms and have moved away from their source of generation (swell). The direction that peak period (Tp) waves are coming (in º True North). In other words, where the waves with the most wave energy in a wave record are coming from. HIGHEST ASTRONOMICAL TIDE is the highest water level which can be predicted to occur at a particular site under average weather conditions. This level 42
may not be reached every year. AHD Wave setup Astronomical tide Predicted tide AUSTRALIAN HEIGHT DATUM is the reference level used by the Bureau of Meteorology in Storm Tide Warnings. AHD is very close to the average level of the sea over a long period (preferably 18.6 years), or the level of the sea in the absence of tides. The increase in mean water level above the SWL towards the shoreline caused by wave action in the surf zone. The amount of rise of the mean water level depends on wave height and beach slope such that setup increases with increasing wave height and increasing beach steepness. It can be very important during storm events as it results in a further increase in water level above the tide and surge levels. Or more simply, the tide is the periodic rise and fall of water along the coast because of gravitational attraction on the water by the moon and sun. When the moon, sun and earth are in line their combined attraction is strongest and the tide range is greater (spring tides). When the moon and sun are at right angles to each other (in relation to the earth) the effect of the attraction is somewhat reduced and the tide range is smaller (neap tides). The tide expected to occur under average meteorological conditions. Tide predictions are typically based on previous actual tide readings gathered over a long period (usually one year or more). The sun, moon and earth are not in the same relative position from year to year. Accordingly, the gravitational forces that generate the tides, and the tides themselves, are not the same each year. 43